Reconstructing Woody: Art, Love, and Life in the Films of Woody Allen

(Paperback)

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Description

The films of Woody Allen have been interpreted as expressions of deconstructionism, nihilism and postmodern angst. This text challenges these assumptions by arguing that Allen's work, from "Play it Again, Sam" to "Mighty Aphrodite", is actually an attempt to explore and reconcile the tension between art and life. It should show why Allen, despite his personal turmoil, is immensely concerned with human ethics, goodness and virtue.

Reviews

It's about time we had the kind of in-depth study Nichols has written, with such rewarding insights. -- Vincent Canby
Reconstructing Woody is an important contribution to the field of film criticism because few critics delve into the philosophical underpinnings of Woody Allen's scriptsand Nichols does this masterfully, with great perception, care, and depth. -- Ronald Schwartz, City University of New York
All film collections should include this title. -- P. H. Stacy, Emeritus, University of Hartford * Choice Reviews *

What began as a diversion provoked a larger revelation. In both works Nichols discovered a writer mocking the pretensions of philosophers whose words prove to be empty as, well, clouds. Is this similarity enough to make Manhattan's Allen a modern-day Aristophanes

Her focus is always on Allen the filmmaker and never on Allen the home-wrecker. More importantly, it is her conviction that Allen's real on-screen preoccupation is not his sex-life, but the interrelationships between art and life.

-- John C. Chalberg * Crisis *
Miss Nichols' approach to the topic of Woody Allen is peculiar, as she is a professor of political science, not film studies. What she brings to Mr. Allen's films is a way of thinking and analyzing that is unavailable to the run-of-the-mill film studies professor or critic. -- Pia Nordlinger * The Washington Times *
Is full of valuable insights, especially in the way it examines the philosophical nature of a number of Woody Allen's films. Offers the reader a strong foundation on which to build an understanding of Allen and his work. * Rocky Mountain Review *

Author Bio

Mary P. Nichols is professor of political science at Fordham University and an avid fan of Woody Allen. She lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.